The Blue Garden

 

Crambe maritima August 2008

Rosa glauca June 2009

Campanula carpatica May 2009

Eryngium planum August 2010

Hebe recurva March 2010

Here is a list of blue plants for Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8. Use it to find blue flowers & plants with blue, gray or silver foliage. Blue is soft & soothing. Most blue foliage is somewhat gray. Blue-gray foliage often has a fluffy, feathery look. Blue & gray look very handsome with red, contrast nicely with yellow. Blue flowers work well with gray foliage, because there is just enough contrast to make them visible, yet they also blend nicely. Purple, pink & white flowers go well with blue. Blue is calm & accepts diversity. Many plants with blue-gray & gray foliage have yellow or white flowers. Blue-gray, gray & silver foliage are tasteful additions to a white garden, especially when these plants have white flowers. Plants with blue-gray or gray foliage & yellow flowers are perfect for a blue & yellow garden, an arresting combination.  The terms glaucus, glauca & glaucum mean that the plants have a fine, whitish, powdery coating, usually on the leaves, but fruits can also be glaucus.  Xeric plants don't usually need irrigation.  This list is meant to introduce you to these plants & give basic information.  Further research will be needed to find sizes & specific horticultural requirements.

Trees: all for sun

Abies concolor 'Candicans' (White Fir) Abies pinsapo 'Glauca' (Spanish Fir) Abies procera 'Glauca' (Noble Fir): all with blue-gray foliage, evergreen conifers.

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' (Blue Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, large evergreen conifer.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’ (Port Orford Cedar) Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ (Boulevard Cypress): blue foliage, evergreen conifers.

Cupressus arizonica glabra ‘Blue Ice’ (Arizona Cypress): blue foliage, evergreen conifer, xeric.

Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Heaven' (Rocky Mountain Juniper): blue foliage, xeric; Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' (Rocky Mountain Juniper): blue gray foliage, very narrow, xeric; Juniperus virginiana 'Glauca' (Eastern Red Cedar): silver-gray foliage; all evergreen conifers.

Picea breweriana (Brewer Spruce): blue-green foliage, purple cones; Picea pungens 'Moerheim' & Picea pungens 'Thomsen' (Colorado Blue Spruce): blue foliage; evergreen conifers.

Pinus kwangtungensis (Chinese White Pine) Pinus parviflora 'Tempelhof' (Japanese White Pine): blue foliage, evergreen conifers.

Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Willowleaf Pear): silver-gray foliage, white flowers

Sequoia sempervivum ‘Filoli’ (Coast Redwood): blue foliage, large evergreen conifer

Shrubs

Abies concolor 'Compacta' (Dwarf White Fir) Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta' (Dwarf Alpine Fir): blue-gray foliage, evergreen conifers.

Caryopteris x clandonensis (Blue Mist) Caryopteris incana (Bluebeard): blue flowers, sun.

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' (Santa Barbara Mountain Lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' aka 'Skylark' (Blue Blossom): xeric, showy bloom, not long-lived, these 2 are the most commonly grown in Seattle, others may suffer frost damage.

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, evergreen conifer.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’: surprisingly blue foliage, sun, evergreen conifer

Elaeagnus commutata (Silverberry): silver foliage, silver fruit, small yellow flowers, sun, xeric.

Hebe recurva, Hebe topiaria: blue-gray foliage, white flowers, sun, evergreen

Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty', Hydrangea macrophylla ' Blue Wave', Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blue Billow’, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer', Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’ (Bigleaf Hydrangea including Lacecap & Mophead): & other culvivars, blue flowers, part shade, in alkaline soil flowers will be pink.

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star': silver-blue foliage, Juniperus squamata 'Loderi': blue-green foliage, Juniperus squamata 'Chinese Silver': silver-blue-green foliage; all for sun, evergreen conifers

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lavandula dentata (French Lavender): blue flowers with silver-gray foliage, sun, xeric.

Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak): blue-green foliage, evergreen.

Picea pungens 'Globosa', Picea pungens 'Montgomery' & Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce): blue foliage, evergreen conifer.

Rhododendron 'Blue Peter': blue flowers, shade, evergreen.

Rosa glauca: blue foliage with pink tinge, pink flowers, sun.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue': & other cultivars, blue flowers, sun, xeric, evergreen, culinary herb.

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton): silver foliage, yellow flowers, sun, xeric

Senecio greyi (aka Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'): gray foliage, yellow flowers, evergreen

Perennials: all with blue flowers, except as noted

Agapanthus campanulatus, Agapanthus ‘Headbourne Hybrids’, Agapanthus ‘Midnight Blue’, Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’ (Lily of the Nile): & other cultivars, these are all derived from Agapanthus campanulatus, the only reliable hardy species in USDA Zone 8, sun.

Allium azureum (Ornamental Onion): sun, xeric.

Baptisia australis (False Indigo): sun, tolerates some dryness.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost': shade, silvery leaves & blue flowers, shade.

Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower) Campanula lactiflora, Campanula latifolia, Campanula latiloba, Campanula persicifolia (Peachleaf Bellflower): & other species, many cultivars, sun.

Camassia cusickii, Camassia leichtlinii, Camassia quamash (Camas): sun, xeric.

Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory of the Snow): sun.

Clematis integrifolia: sun, not a vine

Corydalis ‘Blue Panda’: shade, needs moisture.

Crambe maritima (Sea Kale): blue-gray foliage, white flowers, sun, xeric.

Crocus chrysanthus ‘Blue Pearl’: sun.

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon): silver-gray foliage, blue flowers, sun.

Deinanthe caerulea: shade, needs moisture.

Delphinium 'Blue Tit', Delphinium 'Fanfare', Delphinium 'Leonora': sun, needs staking.

Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle): sun, xeric

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster) Erigeron speciosus (Showy Fleabane): xeric

Eryngium alpinum, Eryngium amethystinum, Eryngium bourgatii, Eryngium planum (Sea Holly): sun, xeric

Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia nicaeensis, Euphorbia rigida (Spurge): gray foliage, yellow flowers, xeric

Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’ (Blue Fescue): blue foliage

Gentiana affinis, Gentiana cruciata, Gentiana septemfida, Gentiana tianschanica, Gentiana verna (Gentian): many species, sun, some need moisture.

Geranium himalayense, Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’, Geranium 'Rozanne' (Cranesbill): sun or shade

Hepatica americana, Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort): shade.

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Jacket', Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Pearl', Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Delft Blue’ (Dutch Hyacinth): sun.

Iris 'Blue Magic' (Dutch Iris) Iris douglasiana (Doulgas Iris): xeric; Iris missouriensis, Iris reticulata 'Harmony', Iris sibirica 'Bennerup Blue' (Siberian Iris) Iris tenax (Oregon Iris): many species & cultivars with blue flowers, sun.

Limonium latifolium (Statice): sun.

Lupinus x hybridus 'Gallery Blue', Lupinus perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus (Lupine): sun.

Meconopsis betonicifolia (Himalayan Poppy) Meconopsis grandis, Meconopsis x sheldonii: shade, needs moisture, can be difficult to grow.

Mertensia ciliata (Mountain Bluebell) Mertensia pulmonarioides (Virginia Bluebells): shade, needs moisture.

Muscari armeniacum, Muscari latifolium, Muscari neglectum, Muscari paradoxum (Grape Hyacinth): sun or part shade.

Myosotis scorpioides (Perennial Forget-Me-Not): part shade

Nepeta clarkei, Nepeta x faassenii, Nepera sibirica (Catmint): & other species, sun.

Omphalodes cappadocica, Omphalodes verna: shade, needs moisture.

Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower): sun.

Penstemon heterophyllus, Penstemon montanus, Penstemon serrulatus, Penstemon procerus, Penstemon strictus, Penstemon virens (Beardtongue): & other species, sun, many are xeric.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage): gray foliage & blue flowers

Prunella grandiflora, Prunella vulgaris (Self Heal): sun.

Pulmonaria angustifolia, Pulmonaria longifolia, Pulmonaria saccharata (Lungwort): & cultivars, shade

Salvia nemorosa 'Superba', Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht' (Sage): & other species, sun.

Scilla peruviana: sun, xeric, from Spain not Peru.

Scutellaria alpina, Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria resinosa (Skullcap): sun.

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears): gray foliage, pink flowers, sun, xeric.

Tradescantia virginiana 'Zwanenburg Blue' (Spiderwort): sun or part shade.

Triteleia laxa 'Queen Fabiola': sun, xeric.

Veronica spicata (Speedwell): many cultivars, sun.

Groundcovers & Trailers

Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle): many cultivers, blue flowers, sun or part shade.

Campanula carpatica (Carpathian Harebell) Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian Bellflower) Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower): blue flowers

Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer): gray foliage, white flowers, short lived.

Convolvulus sabatius (Ground Morning Glory): blue flowers, sun.

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spruge): blue-gray foliage, yellow flowers, sun, xeric

Hebe glaucophylla: blue-gray foliage, white flowers, Hebe x pimeleoides: blue-gray foliage, blue flowers, Hebe pinguifolia 'Pagei': blue-gray foliage, white flowers; all for sun, low evergreen shrubs with creeping stems.

Juniperus conferta 'Pacific Blue' (Shore Juniper) Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' (Creeping Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet': blue foliage, sun, low evergreen shrubs with creeping stems.

Lithodora diffusa: blue flowers, sun, xeric.

Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper): sun.

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Trailing Rosemary): sun, low evergreen shrub with creeping stems.

Sedum anacampseros: blue-green foliage, pink flowers, sun; Sedum dasyphyllum: blue-green foliage, pink flowers, sun; Sedum forsterianum: blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, shade or part-shade; Sedum obtusatum: blue-green foliage, cream flowers, sun; Sedum oregonense: blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, sun; Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce': blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, sun; all xeric.

Veronica pectinata, Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue', Veronica prostrata 'Heavenly Blue': blue flowers, xeric.

Eucomis Circle (Cascadia Garden)

 Eucomis Circle August 2008

 Eucomis comosa October 2009

The stone circle was laid with the Rock Garden in 1994. Armeria maritima (Thrift) grew well there for 13 years. I envisioned a new design after I became excited about Eucomis (Pineapple Lily) in 2006. I planted in March of 2007. The circle is 3 feet across. It contains 21 Eucomis bulbs. Taller E comosa & bicolor  fill the north half, shorter E autumnalis & E zambesiaca fill the south. Flower color ranges from white through pink to dark red. ‘Oakhurst’ has dark red foliage.  Update summer 2010: E autumnalis & E zambesiaca died out, probably due to winter temperatures too low for them to tolerate.  E bicolor & E 'Oakhurst' persist, but have never bloomed.

Eucomis Circle Plant List

Eucomis autumnalis

Eucomis bicolor

Eucomis comosa ‘Can Can’

Eucomis comosa ‘Oakhurst’

Eucomis comosa ‘Tugela Jade’

Eucomis comosa ‘Tugela Ruby’

Eucomis zambesiaca

 Original plan February 2007

Shrubs for Sun

Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga' May 2009

Weigela florida 'Variegata' August 2008

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Juniperus chinensis December 2009

Hydrangea paniculata June 2009

These shrubs for sun are all good plants for gardens in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8. They have good form, lovely flowers, colorful foliage & other characteristics that endear them to many gardeners. Some of these shrubs tolerate dryness, others are xeric plants that prefer well-drained soil. Most of these should be fairly easy to find. When local nurseries fail, try mail-order nurseries.  Forest Farm is a good source for uncommon plants.  This list is not meant to provide detailed information on shrubs, but to introduce you to some you may not know, or remind you of those you have forgotten.  Be sure you know how large these shrubs grow before you plant them.  Many shrubs do not look good when sheared or heavily pruned.  An abundance of detailed information is available on the web.  Good reference books on shrubs are The Hillier Gardener's Guide to Trees & Shrubs edited by John Kelly, Shrubs by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, Sunset Western Garden Book.

Abelia chinensis (Chinese Abelia) Abelia 'Edward Goucher', Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia): tolerates some dryness, showy fall bloom, allow enough room, can be unattractive when pruned, will grow in part shade
Abeliophyllum distichum (White Forsythia): fragrant winter bloom
Abies balsamea 'Nana' (Dwarf Balsam Fir) Abies concolor 'Compacta' (Dwarf White Fir): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form 
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Laceleaf Japanese Maple): several cultivars, grows slowly, but can become quite large

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Compact Strawberry Tree): xeric, fall fruit & bloom

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita) Arctostaphylos densiflora (Vine Hill Manzanita): xeric, good structure, nice bark

Berberis darwinii (Darwin's Barberry): showy bloom, evergreen, Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' (Golden Japanese Barberry) Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy', Berberis thunbergii 'Helmond Pillar', Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak' (Red Japanese Barberries): good foliage color, barbs a problem only when pruning, wear thick gloves
Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' (Beautyberry): beautiful fruit, not such a beautiful form, can become large, does not look good when pruned

Callistemon pallidus, Callistemon rigidus, Callistemon sieberi, Callistemon subulatus, Callistemon viridiflorus (Bottlebrush): showy bloom, very uncommon in Seattle

Calluna vulgaris (Heather): many cultivars, showy bloom, good foliage color
Caryopteris x clandonensis (Bluebeard): several cultivars, showy bloom

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' (Santa Barbara Mountain Lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' aka 'Skylark' (Blue Blossom): xeric, showy bloom, not long-lived, these 2 are the most commonly grown in Seattle, others may suffer frost damage
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, interesting form, may need staking when young, can spread widely, but takes well to pruning
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise', Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' (Dwarf Port Orford Cedar): & other cultivars with slender, upright form, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress): & other cultivars, good form
Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet): fragrant winter bloom

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange): fragrant

Cistus x hybridus (White Rockrose) Cistus ladanifer (Crimson Spot Rockrose) Cistus x purpureus (Orchid Rockrose): & many other species, xeric, long period of showy bloom, short-lived
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush): tolerates dryness, beautiful foliage & flowers, but often an awkward form
Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath): tolerates dryness, long period of bloom
Daphniphyllum macropodum: nice form, evergreen, unusual almost tropical appearance
Deutzia x elegantissima, Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia) Deutzia x hybrida (Hybrid Deutzia) Deutzia x rosea (Pink Deutzia): needs moisture, beautiful bloom, lovely arching form, give it room to spread
Dorycnium hirsutum (Hairy Canary Clover): xeric, small shrub of Mediterranean origin

Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' (Ebbinge's Silverberry): thornless, colorful foliage, Elaeagnus pungens 'Variegata' (Thorny Silverberry): & other cultivars, colorful foliage

Erica arborea 'Estrella Gold', Erica australis, Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis (Heath): & many other species & cultivars, showy bloom, often in winter
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom', Escallonia rubra (Escallonia): & many other cultivars, tolerates dryness, showy mass of flowers
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush): colorful fall foliage, Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Euonymus): many cultivars with colorful evergreen foliage
Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride', Exochorda racemosa (Pearl Bush): beautiful but huge, does not take well to pruning, needs moisture

Forsythia:  showy late winter/early spring bloom

Hebe buxifolia, Hebe ochracea, Hebe 'Red Edge', Hebe topiaria: good foliage color, evergreen
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon): several cultivars, showy bloom
Holodiscus discolor (Ocean Spray): xeric, showy bloom

Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) Hydrangea serrata: showy bloom, fall color, beautiful plants

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple', Hypericum 'Hidcote', Hypericum x inodorum (St John's Wort): showy bloom, some with colored foliage

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa' (Hollywood Juniper) Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point', Juniperus communis 'Compressa' (Dwarf Irish Juniper) Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' (Irish Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Loderi': tolerates dryness, good form, evergreen, tough
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lavandula dentata (French Lavander)  Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender): xeric, fragrant
Lavatera thuringiaca (Tree Mallow): showy bloom, grows quickly, but short-lived
Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak): evergreen, uncommon
Lupinus arboreus (Tree Lupine): xeric, very showy bloom, fragrant, short-lived
Magnolia 'Ann', Magnolia 'Betty', Magnolia 'Jane', Magnolia 'Judy', Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel', Magnolia 'Pinkie', Magnolia 'Randy', Magnolia 'Ricki', Magnolia sinensis, Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) Magnolia 'Susan', Magnolia x thompsoniana, Magnolia wilsonii: beautiful flowers, these slowly become large shrubs 
Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle): glossy leaves, striking appearance, evergreen
Olearia x haastii, Olearia x mollis: showy bloom, good foliage color
Neillia affinis, Neillia sinensis: showy bloom, good form, uncommon
Osmanthus x burkwoodii: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus delavayi: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki': & other cultivars, colorful evergreen foliage

Paeonia suffruticosa: very showy bloom, needs staking, very long-lived
Penstemon pinifolius (Pineleaf Beardtongue): xeric, showy bloom, evergreen
Pernettya mucronata: colorful fruit, several cultivars
Philadelphus coronarius (Common Mock Orange) Philadelphus lewisii (Western Mock Orange): tolerates dryness, showy fragrant bloom
Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis italica, Phlomis ‘Edward Bowles’ (Jerusalem Sage): xeric, good foliage color & texture
Physocarpus capitatus (Western Ninebark): tolerates dryness, attractive flowers & fruit, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold', Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' (Eastern Ninebark): colorful foliage, attractive flowers & fruit
Picea abies 'Inversa' (Weeping Norway Spruce) Picea abies 'Nidiformis' (Nest Spruce) Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' (Dwarf Alberta Spruce) Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Creeping Colorado Spruce): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form
Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub): many cultivars with showy, fragrant bloom, also grows in shade
Pinus mugo var. pumilio, Pinus mugo 'Valley Cushion' (Mugo Pine): tolerates dryness,  good dwarf forms of a small pine
Podocarpus  nivalis (Alpine Totara): good form & foliage, evergreen
Potentilla fruticosa (Cinquefoil):many cultivars, showy bloom
Rosa rugosa: xeric, fragrant, tough, one of the easiest roses to grow

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): xeric, fragrant, culinary herb
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton): xeric, good foliage color, evergreen
Senecio 'Sunshine' (aka Senecio greyi) Senecio monroi (name changed to Brachyglottis): tolerates dryness, good foliage color

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spiraea): many cultivars, some with colored foliage, Spiraea prunifolia (Bridalwreath) Spiraea thunbergii, Spiraea trilobata 'Fairy Queen', Spiraea x vanhouttei: showy white flowers

Syringa julianae, Syringa meyeri 'Palibin', Syringa patula 'Miss Kim', Syringa x persica (Persian Lilac) Syringa vulgaris (French Lilac): many cultivars, fragrant, showy bloom
Taxus baccata 'Aurea' (Golden Yew) Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' (Irish Yew): large, evergreen

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) Thuja orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae): good form, evergreen, some with gold foliage
Thujopsis dolobrata 'Nana' (Dwarf Deerhorn Cedar): interesting form & texture
Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry): tolerates dryness, nice foliage, edible fruit

Viburnum davidii, Viburnum opulus (Cranberry Bush) Viburnum plicatum tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga', Viburnum tinus 'Spring Bouquet': & other species, showy bloom, some with fall color, some evergreen

Weigela coraeensis, Weigela florida: showy bloom